Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development
Nicholas School
The Brain Wellness Center
Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center
We are writing to share with you our thoughts and reasons why we think the world of the Rehabilitation Center for Neurological Development and the Nicholas School. Our daughter, Abigail, has been involved with the Center and school for the past 2 ½ years. In 2008, Abigail attended the Nicholas School Summer Readiness Program and in 2009 Abigail attended an 8 week summer program which consisted of neurodevelopment program, educational class at the Center, and the Child Aquatic Therapy program. Here is where we saw the most improvement in Abigail. In those short 8 weeks Abigail became more focused (her attention span greatly improved), more coordinated (has more balance in her walk), and overall has grown so much. We knew then that the Nicholas School was the only place for Abigail to start Kindergarten in the fall of 2009.
Abigail was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at six months of age. At one year, she had surgery on her third ventricle but without success: then a shunt was inserted. Abigail developed slowly in motor areas, such as sitting up, crawling, and walking. Her speech was delayed and still today can only say a few words. We have purchased a communications device for her, so she is able to communicate with the teachers and students. She has had speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy for many years. We had seen improvement with Abigail through those programs but it really wasn’t till we started attending the programs at Nicholas School where she began making significant strides to recover from her developmental delays.
One main reason we think so highly of the Center and School is that they treat Abigail as an individual. They structure the programs around “her” needs not just group her in programs that will be “adequate” for her. They see where she is struggling and give her the support and programs to make her the best she can be. Abigail has only been at the Nicholas School for 5 months now but we can see how much she has grown. It’s not just Mike and myself that see it; our family and friends have also commented on how much she has grown. There are so many areas where she has grown; attention span has gone from barely being able to sit for a few minutes on a task to actually sitting still and enjoying the task at hand. Her motor skills – it has gone from holding your breath when you saw her running (because she was so imbalanced) to seeing her run and looking back at you without falling down; being able to take her clothes and her shoes on and off by herself. Nicholas School has helped Abigail to become her own person. She’s able to do little things for herself now.
There’s never a morning that Abigail doesn’t wake up and “not” want to go to school. She looks forward to going to school and seeing her friends and teachers. Mike and I count our blessings that we have this great Center and School so close to us. The teachers, therapists, administration, and staff go above and beyond the needs of the children. They’re always looking our for what’s best for each chills.
We fully support the Center and Nicholas School in their endeavors. We hope that people will continue to support this great organization, so that children like Abigail will have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Sincerely,
Michael and Deanna
(Parents of Abigail)
